I was under the truck the other day and I saw that my tie rods looked funny.

The YELLOW bolt line is not perpendicular to the RED cap line on the other side.

Is this normal?

 

Yes it is. If your steering linkage on the truck was rigid it would bind constantly. This type of joint allows for the linkage angles to change as the truck is driven.

 

Like Yankee said, because part of checking them is you have to turn them, say in this case up and down in the direction it is off now. However, by this pic, you may need new tie rods. I don't see a grease fitting which leads me to believe they're stock ones. I had one break while driving so I'm extra careful now. You should have gotten a notice on how to check them, it's like a TSB. These trucks are bad for crap tie rods and ball joints, due to them not bieng greaseable. You should, like I said be able to twist back and forth the way you thaught was bad. Then grab it and pull away/ push back towards linkage, also up and down. If you feel the slightest looseness within the tie rod, they're going. The reason I say they may be going is that if there is grease seeping out of a greased for life tie rod it's NFG. Good day sir.

 

Thanks! Ford service changed my Idler arm a couple of months back and I did not know why they would not say something about my tie-rods if they were bad and Im clueless about suspension stuff.

 

Basically, all you have to do is grab the tie rod, hold it straight and move it in the directions your picture has with up and down (yellow line) and back and forth (red line). There should be no play internally. Check against the other side for comparison. I've have to change the driver's side, one cuz it broke, then after checking that way, the inner driver's side. The passenger side is hard to twist, but is solid otherwise with no grease seeping out. I replaced with Moog parts that have a grease fitting as most do. I don't suggest getting Ford replacement unless there is that grease fitting.

 

You could have someone lightly wiggle the steering wheel while watching the tie rod end to see if it moves before the center drag link does, that way your hands won't get dirty. Also when the tie rod ends are replaced, make sure the ballstud is centered in the socket on both ends. I've seen one tie rod end turn all the way in one direction and the other end in the oppisite direction, causing premature wear on both tie rod ends. A good alignment tech should know this.

 

Oh Great! Now I have to go out a make a friend somewhere.

 

Or the guy doesn't run you over, drink your beer and steal your wife.